Xolos take down Brazilian giants

The Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles continued to confound the soccer world, their latest slice of magic being a 1-0 victory against Brazilian power Corinthians at deafening Estadio Caliente in the Copa Libertadores.

Corinthians is nicknamed “Timao,” Portuguese for “the big team.” Except for most of the 90 minutes Wednesday night, you wouldn’t have known which team is the reigning Copa Libertadores and FIFA Club World Cup champion, and which didn’t exist seven years ago and is playing in its first Copa Libertadores.

“A very important victory,” said Xolos captain Javier Gandolfi, who scored the lone goal in the 65th minute. “It’s another step forward.”

So the Xolos, not the defending champs with former AC Milan star Alexandre Pato at forward, are alone in first place in Group 5 with three wins in three games, with six goals scored and none allowed. Corinthians (1-1-1) is a distant second with four points at the midpoint of group play.

Which means: The Xolos, even if they lost their final three games, still might finish in the top two in Group 5 and advance to the 16-team knockout bracket.

The best part for Corinthians was that they didn’t lose by more. The Xolos created two chances in the early moments as Corinthians defenders struggled to adjust to Estadio Caliente’s spongy artificial turf, then another midway through the first half when Duvier Riascos got loose in the penalty area and chipped charging goalkeeper Cassio – only for it to sail high.

The goal came on a 40-yard free kick from the left side that Fernando Arce spun toward the left post and Alfredo Moreno headed back across the goal mouth. The ball appeared to hit the left arm of a Corinthians player and bounce to Gandolfi, who backheeled it into the net as the Corinthians bench cried for offside.

The Xolos were without speedy left back Edgar Castillo, so instrumental to their attack and run to the Liga MX Apertura title last fall. But Coach Antonio Mohamed figured his best defense was a good offense, sending Fidel Martinez down the left flank and keeping Corinthians from getting forward.

And it was Martinez who drew the foul that led to the goal.

Gandolfi and his patchwork back line gave Pato and his decorated cohorts few good looks at goal. And on the occasion that they did, Xolos goalkeeper Cirilo Saucedo made big saves.

The Xolos now get to fly the 6,000 miles to Sao Paulo for their next Copa Libertadores game, but at least it won’t be played in front of 40,000 raging fans at Corinthians’ Pacaembu stadium. As part of the sanctions for fan violence at a previous Copa Libertadores game in Bolivia, where a 14-year-old boy was killed by a flare, Corinthians were ordered to play home games behind closed doors.